Pierre de Wissant

Henry Coles (1875 -?)

1903-1904

Bichromated-gelatin print

H. 21.5 cm ; W. 17 cm

Ph.960

To obtain the disquieting atmosphere found in some of their photographs, Haweis and Coles used artifical lighting, acetylene gas lamps, for example. This kind of lighting gave rise to strong contrast, reinforced by the rich blacks of the bichromated-gelatin print.

Henry Coles, who printed this photograph, deliberately exaggerated the shadows formed by the folds of the fabric, which thus contributed to the dramatic effect of the mise-en-scène. This shot of Pierre de Wissant suggests the new aesthetic inspired by Symbolism that would develop shortly after Rodin’s death : Expressionist cinema.